I found myself going 'stir crazy' this morning. Having not been out since Monday my mind wished to walk across the park, see the sky, take a bus trip somewhere nice, visit somewhere interesting or just get out off here! My knees disagreed. They thought a Monday walk was sufficient!
Eventually I decided to take the empty glass beer bottles to the recycle bin up the road. I could only manage one, the rest can wait, and so I toddles of, bottles crashing together, and dumped them noisily in the recently emptied bins.
People queued outside the Pharmacy as I passed by, each several feet from the one in front. Users in the car park avoided contact and having dumped the bottles I wandered past both Sainsburys and Tesco admiring the queues.
These were admirable, keeping their distance, uncomplaining and happy the sun was attempting to show itself and warm them up, to some extent at least. It was somewhat depressing to see all the shops closed, those that are not charity shops at least. The only one open was a cycle shop, they are seen as 'Key' to please Dave's heart. The owner stood at the door discussing gear changes with an individual on a bike, whether he was actually allowed in in unclear.
The queues outside the supermarket were a bit off putting, I was a bit afraid I was going to run out of milk this weekend but did not wish to join the long happy crowd. However in Bank Street, so called because of the bank, indeed four banks these days, I noticed Iceland was open. As here were a mere six individuals queuing I thought I could nip in here for milk. However the movement was slow. It appeared all the women inside, typically, were collecting huge trolley fulls and having them delivered. Therefore this took time to organise at the tills, of which only two were operating, neither being operated by the top staff at that! The queue moved slowly, one out, one in, and being men of stature we did not mutter a complaint, well not out loud anyway.
A woman took her place several feet behind, moving further away each time I coughed. She began at 6 feet and as I eventually entered the store she was on the other side of the street. I could have explained to her there was nothing to fear but decided it was a bit of a giggle so didn't.
Waiting that long and just buying milk (large bottle for £1, jings! half that cost 80p elsewhere) I accidentally discovered one or two other things that would help fill a gap...a £20:80p gap at that! I may have queued too long! On the other hand Monday at Tesco will be quicker as I have less to obtain there now!
Watching the people queue in the comparatively quiet streets, what shops open all had a small line of people furtively looking around them, occasional cars passed by, and all men over 35 walking around carrying a shopping bag to ensure the Stasi do not stop them and question why they are out. Even the dog walkers are hesitant these days, the dog on a leash keeps a good distance between folk. I have locked myself back in, will I get out again?
That nice Mr Hancock has promised to do 10,000 tests a day, but from when? Who will get them? Will I be offered? How soon? Like all information from this slippery government we have no answers, and if we have answers we do not believe them...
Sleep in peace...
By the way, over 150,000 people have died already this year, only 2500 from this virus. Keep that in mind and be careful crossing the road.
